Answering the New Atheism

Dismantling Dawkins' Case Against GOD, by Scott Hahn - Benjamin Wiker

By way of disclosure I begin saying that I am neither a theologian nor a scientist. I bought this book to read so that I would be able to answer the many challenges I experience here on the Vine about my faith, and my position and belief in Christianity and Catholicism. Since this book was written as an intellectual rebuttal to Dawkins' book, "The God Dilusion" by Scott Hahn, a best selling theological author, and Benjamin Wiker, a scientist at Franciscan University in Stubenville, Ohio, I an going to present opinions and praises for this book from people who know much more than I do about this growing trend in our schools and country.

* "Rarely, if ever, in my many years as a professor of philosophy did I ever have an opportunity to read such a compelling argument." ~Anthony Flew~ Author of There Is a God: How the World's Most Notorious Atheist changed His Mind
* "Dr. Scott Hahn and Dr. Benjamin Wiker show again and again, that atheists like Richard Dawkins are putting forth shoddy arguments, and once those arguments are dismantled by cool reason, there is very little left." ~Dinesh D'Souza:~ Research Scholar at the Hoover Institution, Author of What's So Great About Christianity
* "In a better world than ours there would have been no need for Answering the New Atheism. But under the circumstances, I'm grateful to Dr. Scott Hahn and Dr. Benjamin Wiker for their essential service in coolly, rationally taking apart Richard Dawkins' inflamed rhetoric and exposing the absurdities, and the dangers, at it heart. Their final chapter is a particularly chilling, important reminder of what Dawkins' secular faith would lead to if it were more widely embraced." ~David Klinghoffer:~ Author of Shattered Tablets: Why We Ignore the Ten Commandments at Our Peril and Why the Jews Rejected Jesus: The Turning Point in Western History
* "Answering the New Atheism is a superb exposé of Dawkins' The God Dilusion. Systematically and lucidly, Scott Hahn and Benjamin Wiker dissect and dispose of the fundamental errors that riddle Dawkins' attempt to demonize the divine. Dawkins has declared a jihad against religion and his main weapons are diatribe and charicature. But the aithors refuse to respond in kind and instead turn to reason, the one tool that Dawkins seems to disdain. As readable and humorous as it is rigorously reasoned, Answering the New Atheism is the best antidote in the marketplace for Dawkinitis." ~Roy Abraham Varghese:~ Co-author with Anthony Flew of There Is a God: How the World's Most Notorious Atheist Changed His Mind, a book denounced by Dawkins. Editor of Cosmos, Bios, Theos, a work with 24 Nobel Prize winners that was described by Time Magazine as "the year's most intriguing book on God."

Since this book is written by two Catholic intellectual heavyweights, I had to reread most of the eight chapters several times. The book is only 150 pages in length but it is chocked full of answers to help you in serious discussions about atheism.

Mans Purpose on Earth, a Spiritual Reflection

Taken from: My Daily Bread, CONFRATERNITY OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD by Anthony J. Paone, S.J.

The Way of Purification - Conversion

CHRIST'S VOICE
My CHILD, the highest goal of your life is union with Me in Heaven. Let your intentions throughout the day be guided by this truth. In all things be sure to stay on the path that leads to Heaven. Do not become too deeply interested in passing desires and brief enjoyments of this earthly life.

I have given you everything that you are and everything that you have. All things come from to you from Me, the Supreme Good. Whatever comes, accept it, use it, enjoy it, and I wish and as much as I wish.

If you think only of satisfying yourself, without considering My approval, your mind becomes confused and your will becomes weak. Mistakes and sins will rob you of peace on earth and of unending happiness in Heaven. In all things therefore, keep your eyes on Me.

Happy are those who desire only what I want, trying steadily to do My will. Such people do not let themselves become completely absorbed by their daily activities. They frequently offer their activities to Me. They see the brevity of human contentment on earth.

Examine your motives in your daily words and actions. Find out how you may please Me more, and avoid everything which may draw you away from Me.

THINK
I was created for eternal happiness with God in heaven. Everything else must take second place in my life, because if I lose Heaven, I will be losing everything. The sure guide to Heaven is God's holy Will. If I follow it in my daily life, every moment on earth will be a sure step toward the perfect happiness which my heart craves.

PRAY
My God and loving Father, grant me the wisdom to think, speak, and act each day as You want me to. May I never be such a fool as to disagree with Your supreme goodness and wisdom. Nothing on earth can bring me any lasting happiness. Therefore, let me never sin for the sake of anything. I want to live for the perfect happiness for which You created me. Amen.

The author, Fr. Anthony Paone, S.J., suggests that the reader read between the lines, and He will give you a message for you alone. This will be the grace of the chapter. God's grace will show us how to live a better life today, and it will give you the strength to do so. If you use these graces well, God will grant you greater ones. Daily you will grow more like Christ and less like your old self. The chapter is simple: (a) listen; (b) think; and (c) answer Him.